ICE agents want a say in immigration talks

Daily News Article — Posted on February 14, 2013

(by Stephen Dinan, The Washington Times) – The head of the union for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday asking to be included in future meetings he has on immigration after the agents were left out of White House talks with business groups and illegal* immigrant-rights activists. [NOTE: People who support the rights of individuals who are in the U.S. illegally prefer the term “undocumented immigrant” or just “immigrant” as opposed to the term “illegal immigrant.”]

Chris Crane, president of the 7,000-member National ICE Council, said it was troubling that Mr. Obama had met with those pushing for legalization, but that the president hadn’t asked the agents responsible for enforcing the laws to take part.

“These measures would have significant implications for interior immigration enforcement, and I believe our officers — who risk their lives every day to secure the nation — have a crucial perspective to offer,” Mr. Crane said in the letter, a copy of which was provided to The Washington Times.

Mr. Crane was scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, and he testified before the House Judiciary Committee last week.

But he has not been included in the meetings the White House has hosted for business groups, Hispanic members of Congress, [illegal] immigrant-rights activists and others who are backing the president’s push for legalizing the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States.

The White House did not return a message seeking comment on Mr. Crane’s request.

Other union representatives have been included in the White House meetings, underscoring the split within the labor community: major national union leaders back Mr. Obama, but that support doesn’t always translate to members themselves.

Last week the White House hosted a meeting with those police officers and sheriffs from across the country who support legalizing illegal immigrants.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano was also at that meeting, and she said the administration has made big strides to crack down on illegal border crossings.

She said that has carved out enough legislative space for Congress to now turn its attention to legalizing illegal immigrants, which she said would help law enforcement do its job by reducing the number of people here illegally and, she hopes, reducing the demand for smuggling and for future illegal immigration.

Mr. Crane has filed a lawsuit against Ms. Napolitano, challenging the new nondeportation policies that make most illegal immigrants ineligible for deportation — policies that the ICE agents say force them to ignore their own sworn duty to uphold the law.

Indeed, at Wednesday’s hearing Mr. Crane testified alongside an illegal immigrant called to testify by Senate Democrats. Under the Obama policies, that illegal immigrant is considered a low priority for deportation.

Questions

NOTE TO STUDENTS: The issue of the large number of illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. is a controversial topic. Remember that most of the people who come here do so to have the opportunity for a better life and the freedom to make it happen. This is not an issue of being "unkind," but an issue of enforcing the law. Also, in this age of terrorism, it is crucial that we know who is coming into the U.S., and for what purpose. It is important to secure our borders. Those who enforce U.S. laws should not be accused of being unkind--they are being responsible. Speak courteously to one another on this topic.

1. What request did the head of the Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents' union make of President Obama in a letter this week?

2. Which groups did President Obama include at the meetings he has held on illegal immigration?

3. a) Why did Mr. Crane say representatives of ICE should be included in the immigration talks?
b) Do you think he is right? Why or why not?

4. What position is the Obama administration taking on the status of the 11 million people who are in the U.S. illegally?

5. What does Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano credit the Obama administration with doing?

6. Mr. Crane has filed a lawsuit against Ms. Napolitano, challenging that her agency's new non-deportation policies make most illegal immigrants ineligible for deportation. ICE agents say these policies force them to ignore their own sworn duty to uphold the law.
The ICE website states: ICE's primary mission is to promote homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration. The agency … is primarily devoted to its two principal operating components: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Does Mr. Crane have a valid argument? Why or why not?

7. a) President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) in 1986 that gave legal status to the 3 million people who were living in the U.S. illegally. During the signing ceremony, President Reagan explained that his reform would "remove the incentive for illegal immigration by eliminating the job opportunities which draw illegal aliens here." The IRCA was designed to allow illegal immigrants to emerge from the shadows in which they had been hiding and afforded many residents the opportunity to become citizens. Reagan hoped that future generations would reap the benefits of this legislation through the commitment to humane border control. (from a YahooNews Q&A)
Last week, Secretary Napolitano said that legalizing illegal immigrants would help law enforcement do its job by reducing the number of people here illegally and, she hopes, reducing the demand for smuggling and for future illegal immigration. Do you agree with her assertion? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

Background

The AFGE National ICE Council represents approximately 7,600 Officers, Agents and employees who work for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and Guam. Visit the website at: iceunion.org.